A University of Arkansas alumnus and member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Grant Brewer M.Ed. ‘09, is heading up an exciting program in Fort Smith. A former graduate student at the U of A and graduate assistant for the Arkansas Alumni Association, Brewer is using the skill sets he honed on campus to foster the success of a cutting-edge program and 75 students— all at the high school level.

Raised in a small town, Brewer attended East Central University in Oklahoma as an undergraduate and later decided to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Arkansas. He chose the school for its higher education and administration program, originally intending to be a college administrator. His work with the association focused alumni programs and the Student Alumni Board. “The Alumni House is near and dear to my heart,” Brewer said.

Brewer said his time at the university was special because it felt like he fit four years’ worth of undergraduate experience into two years. While he pursued his master’s degree, he met people from several different areas of the country, fellow students who got their undergrads from California, South Carolina, Michigan, Oklahoma and, of course, Arkansas. That was his favorite part, he said, meeting people and fostering networks. Whether instructors, peers or colleagues at the alumni house, Brewer made lifelong connections with people who were role models for higher education, influential career figures and, more than that, friends.

After graduating in 2009 with a Master of Education in Higher Education, Brewer carried that legacy with him. He moved out of state, met his wife, and eventually moved to Fort Smith to work in the field of STEM education. “My biggest accomplishment was growing up, maturing,” he said.

Brewer left a position as an educator at an Alma middle school to join the innovative program at Southside High School in Fort Smith. Created by a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, it is paving the way for drone education as a field and career-focused course option at the high school level. Southside High School is one of seven school across the state piloting a drone education program, and Grant Brewer is at the forefront. He is in his second year now teaching sophomore, junior and senior students enrolled in the three-year track. They are preparing to become licensed drone operators and when they graduate, they will be equipped to enter the field in a variety of ways.

To prep for his role teaching the course, Brewer completed an intensive one-week certification boot camp administered by the Federal Aviation Association and became a legally licensed drone operator.

Brewer’s students learn the commercial capacities of drones and, essentially, all the ways the technology can earn money. Students can choose to enter the field straight out of high school working for realtors to get aerial shots of spaces. Or, he said, they can go to post-secondary school at one of the many colleges emphasizing drone education. Beyond this, some will apply their skills in a military-focused position—unmanned air vehicles are becoming very important in a lot of different departments, not just the air force.

“There are a lot of ways these students can get involved with the industry,” said Brewer.

It’s been exciting experience for Brewer, and it still is, but in some ways, he’s still working to take it all in. “It’s still a learning process, I’m still going through it,” he said of the unique opportunity. “Not many people can say this is what they do all day, especially at the high school level, teaching about an up-and-coming, cutting-edge field.”

He never forgot his Razorback roots. Now, the University of Arkansas is “displayed loud and proud” in his classroom, from his framed diploma for all to see to a watercolor painting. October was college awareness month, and Brewer happily served as an ambassador for the institution with his students and continues to do so. With any luck, he will encourage many of them to pursue college education in their future. Some of them may even become Razorbacks.

Brewer has a few pieces of advice for those future U of A alumni and all the students pursuing degrees now. “Network. There’s a huge alumni base there for you—they’re friendly and always helpful. Don’t take your time on campus for granted. See where your degree and your experiences can take you, and get involved. You never know where what you’re doing now will lead.”

The Arkansas Alumni Association honored its fourth class of Seniors of Significance during a reception at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House on Dec. 1. Seventy-one graduating seniors, commemorating the university’s founding date of 1871, were recognized along with their faculty or staff mentor. During the reception, the Seniors of Significance received a special gold honor cord to wear during graduation.

The 71 students were selected from more than 600 nominations and represent each University of Arkansas undergraduate academic college. These exceptional seniors were selected based on academic achievement, leadership skills and substantial extracurricular campus and/or community activities.

This year celebrates the 53rd year of honoring a senior male and female undergraduate through the Senior Honor Citation program, as well as the re-established Razorback Classics program. Only students selected as Seniors of Significance have the opportunity to update their application in the 2018 spring semester to be further considered for these awards.

The Class of 2018 Seniors of Significance. Photo by Whit Pruitt, University Relations

Class of 2018 Seniors of Significance

College of Education and Health Professions

Brendan Cook – Springdale

Grace Davis – Memphis, TN

Sarah Caroline Halford* – Little Rock

Anne Schexnayder* – Little Rock

Erin Smith – Harrisburg

Kate Tarver* – Germantown, TN

College of Engineering

Phillip Braden – Collierville, TN

Ali Ezell* – Springdale

Paolo Garcia* – Fort Smith

Casey Gibson*^ – Jonesboro

Kendrick Hardaway* – Poteau, OK

Iliana Hernandez – Siloam Springs

Rachel Holmer* – Rogers

Kylie McClanahan*^ – Maumelle

Grace McGee* – Richardson, TX

Zachary Roth* – Bentonville

Stephanie Sandoval* – Springdale

Danielle Zapata – Arlington, TX

Maria Alejandra Zeballos Castro* – La Paz, Bolivia

Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences

Barbara “Beau” Broyles* – Fayetteville

Tristen Clanton – Hermitage

Martha “Grace” Costello* – Elkins

Sarah-Beth DeLay* – San Antonio, TX

Sam Harris* – Greenbrier

Danica Ridgeway – Jefferson City, MO

Sarah Yanniello* – McKinney, TX

Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design

Callie Fleetwood* – Claremore, OK

William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

Ryann Alonso* – Tulsa, OK

Garrett Bethel* – Little Rock

Erica Brewer* – Lonoke

Cortlyn Dees – Canyon, TX

Breyanna Dulaney – Little Rock

Caroline Gregory* – Dallas, TX

Daley Harvey – Des Arc

Jessica Kloss* – Beebe

Madison Kolb* – Little Rock

Stephen Komar* – Kansas City, MO

Karli Lipinski* – Benton

Pooja Lukhi* – Conway

Khyesha McCall – Fayetteville

Naseer Naseem* – Fayetteville

Hanah Neece – Argyle, TX

Gray Orman* – Bryant

Roy Phillips Jr.* – Little Rock

Jodi Simeon* – Commonwealth of Dominica

Jacey Sites* – Beebe

Ashlyn Smith – Wynne

Chelsea Tatlow – Columbia, MO

Olivia Tzeng* – Conway

Rachel Ungar* – Fayetteville

Kyle Ward* – Fayetteville

Madison Woods – Camden

Sam M. Walton College of Business

Macarena Arce* – Lima, Peru

Kendell Black* – Germantown, TN

Elynnor Burress* – Stilwell, KS

Jack Casey* – Overland Park, KS

Natalie Counce* – Fayetteville

Jessica Garross – Flower Mound, TX

Adam Jones* – Fayetteville

Grace Lillis – Overland Park, KS

Tristan Locke* – Stilwell, KS

Jessica Loechler* – Kansas City, MO

Landri McGregor* – Golden, CO

Ryan Panyard* – Little Rock

Elise Patterson – Austin, TX

Trent “Jack” Scaccia* – Clarksville

Scott Sims* – McGehee

Raygan Sylvester – North Little Rock

McKenzie Wages* – Springfield, MO

William Watkins* – Arlington, TX

Thea Winston* – Forrest City

*Indicates the student is a member of the Honors College

^Indicates the student is pursuing degrees within two Colleges

]]>Hog Tale: U of A Meeting, Engagement and Weddinghttps://blog.arkansasalumni.org/hog-tale-u-of-a-meeting-engagement-and-wedding/
Tue, 21 Mar 2017 15:04:56 +0000https://blog.arkansasalumni.org/?p=11283By Julia Killingsworth B.S.’12My grandfather, William Lyon, and my grandmother, Peggy Ross Lyon, both attended the U of A in the 1950s. Both my parents, Jack and Lawana Lyon, and Nick’s parents, Steve and Sherry Killingsworth, attended the U of A in the 1970s and 1980s. Nick and I did not know each other when we were both freshmen in 2008. I lived in Pomfret (with my future maid of honor) where I met some of my best friends, a group of girls that still gets together at least once a year. Nick lived in Futrall Hall (with his future best man).

Nick and I first met when we had Honors Organic Chemistry together in Kimpel Hall our Junior Year. Dr. Matt McIntosh always gave 5-minute quizzes at the beginning of each lecture in teams. Nick and I sat near each other, and so even though I didn’t even know his name, we were often on the same team. Nick was very studious (and handsome). Later that semester I asked him if he would be my date to my sorority’s semi-formal. He told me he might have to study that night (a Friday night, weeks away), but he’d think about it. Several days later he agreed to go with me to the function. We attended the Kappa Kappa Gamma Kissmas Semi-formal together and started dating shortly after.

After graduation, I moved to Little Rock to attend medical school at UAMS; Nick started Physical Therapy school in Conway. We would often return to Fayetteville to visit friends and family, U of A events, and of course to the occasional Razorback game. Almost always we would take a nostalgic walk around campus passing by Kimpel Hall where we first met. So, this past year I wasn’t suspicious at all when we went on a weekend trip to Fayetteville (to see Martin Sexton at George’s) and Nick suggested we take a walk around campus. Once on campus, he made a beeline for Kimpel Hall. We walked back into that lecture room where we first met and I sat down in my old seat. Nick got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

On October 1, 2016, Nick and I were married on the steps of Old Main. One of my advisers from the Volunteer Action Center and the Full Circle Food Pantry, Ms. Angela Oxford, officiated the ceremony. We celebrated that night at Carnall Hall with our friends and family.

We now live in Little Rock; I’m a pediatric resident at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Nick will finish his Doctorate of Physical Therapy this August. We have so many wonderful memories from our times at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas will always be a special place for us and our families.

My first trip to the University of Arkansas campus and to Fayetteville was in 1957 to attend a football game with Texas A&M. This visit was arranged by my football and basketball coach at Sheridan High School with the anticipation of receiving a basketball scholarship offer from Coach Glen Rose to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Football coach Charles Johnson, who played for the Hogs in 1943 and 1944, provided the long drive from Sheridan to Fayetteville. Seems it took us all day to make the trip so I was wondering if my decision was wise to
attend a college so far away from home and in a place I had never been. Would I like the place and would I ever have any reason to return to the campus and Fayetteville after my school days? Well, the scholarship offer was extended to play basketball for the team of my
dreams and one who would win the Southwest Conference Championship that same school year. This small town youngster from the community of East End gladly accepted the opportunity of his lifetime. A chance to play basketball and baseball for the largest school
in Arkansas as well as earn a college degree in Business Administration.

My second trip to the University of Arkansas campus was in the fall of 1958. Once again I made the long journey from central Arkansas. My parents did not make the trip so this nervous youngster was now on his own. However, the excitement of becoming a Razorback and hopefully an alumnus of the greatest school in the state helped calm my nerves. My residence for the next four years would be the Wilson Sharp athletic dorm. Many changes, challenges and opportunities were to be in my future as I continued to mature. The change from high school to college and the responsibilities of decision making for a youngster just leaving the security of home with parents seemed almost too
much to comprehend. It was now time to grow up!

Well, things seemed to work out, and I had a successful basketball and baseball experience and met many new friends in the classrooms. In just two shorts years I met a lovely young lady from northeast Arkansas who was a member of the Razorback Marching Band. Two years after that, we were happily married and have remained the best of friends for these past 55 years. As you could imagine, these 55 years together also offered many changes, challenges and opportunities for the both of us.

My wife and I have been blessed with three children and six grandchildren who are all Razorbacks at heart. All three of our children attended the University of Arkansas. A son-in-law and a daughter-in-law attended the University and we presently have a granddaughter and grandson enrolled. Our immediate family holds five degrees from the University of Arkansas and one daughter is on staff teaching in the Education Department. To top it all, after all these years, our entire family now resides in Fayetteville.

Who could have ever imagined that a first visit to the University of Arkansas campus in 1957 by a young high school student, in search of playing sports and achieving a college degree, could lead to such family ties to our great University of Arkansas and Fayetteville.

I am not your typical Hog Tales story. I didn’t go to school here. I didn’t grow up cheering for the Razorbacks. I had not even been to Fayetteville until I was 21 years old. So how did I end up in love with this institution, these people, and this community of alumni, friends and family? I’m glad you asked.

I grew up in a small southeast Arkansas town. Fayetteville is five hours away; it is faster to get to Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and even the University of Alabama from my hometown than it is to travel to the University of Arkansas. To compound the distance, my dad is a rice farmer. His busy time of the year (harvest) coincided perfectly with football season. So if we happened to catch three or four Razorback games a year on television we were doing well.

When it was time to pick a college, I chose another in-state institution and afterwards settled down in Little Rock. Then it happened. I met a man who, as a third generation Arkansas alumnus, bled red. He could rattle off statistics on every football team since the year he was born. All his family were season ticket holders. And he could sing every verse of the alma mater (which, let’s be honest, is quite a feat! Have you tried to sing all the verses of Mother of Mothers lately?). I thought he was a lunatic. Lovable, but obsessive to put it mildly.

The first time he brought me to Fayetteville was the summer after we were engaged. He showed me all the sights like DWR Razorback Stadium, Old Main, and all his family members’ names on Senior Walk. He told me this was where he envisioned raising a family someday. I chuckled. Moving from Little Rock? Please. That would never happen.

Until that Monday when my employer announced they were relocating me to- you guessed it- Fayetteville. A short two months later we were living in this place I had been to only once before. I felt completely bewildered.

I remember the poor decision of desperately craving Chickfila on a Razorback game day. Terrible idea. I remember my first game and Calling the Hogs with a packed stadium. I found myself jumping to my feet like I hadn’t since high school. The atmosphere was electric. Contagious. My job at the time had me partnering with the Arkansas Alumni Association; staff members here were some of the first friends I made.

Without realizing it, this place I had never been to before started to become something more. The University of Arkansas was drawing me in. I began to follow the teams with interest. I walked the Farmer’s Market on the Square, and ate at Hugo’s, and did all the things the real locals did. We bought a house and season tickets. And that group of people who became my first friends? They became not only my friends but my coworkers.

It happened slowly, but one day I woke up and this place was home. It was something I didn’t imagine possible. I came here just shy of kicking and screaming in protest. But the University of Arkansas has a way of drawing you in. There’s something in the air here. I don’t know if it’s the echoes of the Hog Calls, the friendliness of every person you meet (which, to the woman who loaned me sunscreen at the first football game this season, I haven’t forgotten your kind deed!), or the legacy of those generations of names on Senior Walk.

But four years later, this southeast Arkansas farm girl is now a dyed in the wool Razorback, and mother to (what will hopefully be) a fourth generation Razorback.

In our upcoming Hog Tales series, we are asking you to tell us your story. What made you a Razorback? Were you born and raised? Came to school here from out of state? Or did this place just adopt you like it did me? How has this university had an impact on you and where did it take you in life? Each week we’ll be featuring a new story highlighting the connection one person has to their Home on the Hill. We look forward to hearing from you, and hope to share your own Hog Tale soon!

]]>Father and son graduate from U of A on same dayhttps://blog.arkansasalumni.org/father-and-son-graduate-from-u-of-a-on-same-day/
Wed, 18 Jan 2017 15:33:06 +0000https://blog.arkansasalumni.org/?p=11212By Rachel Gray

Finding your family members’ names on University of Arkansas Senior Walk is a time honored tradition for U of A graduates. But for the descendants of Jackie D. Hancock Jr. and Jackie “Jackson” D. Hancock III, the search will take far less time. Father and son will have their names etched in stone right next to each other, as they both graduated with degrees from the university on Dec. 16.
“The stars just kind of aligned,” said Jackie, 57. “It wasn’t something we planned. It just worked out perfectly.”
Jackie originally attended the U of A in the late ‘70s before completing his degree at Park University in Kansas City. Students from the 1970s may well remember Jackie as being a member of the Pizza 7, a group of friends who were caught at the top of Old Main’s towers after rewiring the elevators to get them there. Describing himself as somewhat of a “corporate gypsy,” he, Jackson and wife Peggy traveled all over the country before settling in Memphis. Jackson attended Houston High School there and almost went a very different direction.

“He started out a Tennessee fan due to other family members,” Jackie says, grinning. “But when we brought him to his first Razorback football game there was no turning back.”

Junior year found Jackson near completion of his Communications/Political Science degree, when Jackie decided the time was right to come back to campus after relocating to Fayetteville.
“It wasn’t that I needed another degree,” he said. “I wanted to learn something new.” Jackie joined the Engineering department’s master program that year, where he began work on his degree in Operation Management.
While Jackson says the two never saw each other on campus, there were many perks to having his parents back home on the Hill.
“We’d proofread each other’s papers. We’d commiserate,” he says with a laugh. “They also lived close to Dickson Street so that came with obvious perks!”

After walking together in graduation, the duo says they plan to return to campus together again: to see their names on Senior Walk at the Senior Walk Dedication, hosted by the Student Alumni Association.
“It will be cool to come back for it,” says Jackson. “My parents passed on the importance of (Arkansas Alumni) membership to me from the beginning.”
“It kept us in touch, kept us connected to campus when we were constantly on the move,” adds Jackie.
Ultimately, the duo agree that the reason to come back was obvious.
“It’s a special place,” says Jackson.
Jackie nods his head. “That’s why we came back. People leave and come back and realize just how special (the University of Arkansas) really is.”

As my Freshman year comes to a close, I can’t help but look back and reflect on the highlights of my first semester of college. Though there are many positives, a volunteer service in particular comes to mind. As a member of my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, we are given the opportunity to volunteer at and work alongside the students of Washington Elementary School. Due to the fact that our philanthropy is “Reading is Key,” we are given a chance to not only help students learn to read and improve their education as a whole, but we are given the chance to actually see the results firsthand. I myself helped in a kindergarten class once a week. One student specifically was rather unruly and resistant to learn at first, and I noticed that he was significantly behind his fellow classmates in his prior education. From further speculation, it seemed rather evident that he wasn’t getting much help from home with school work or mind-stimulating activities. I began to make it my priority to be friendly towards him, and make him valued and cared for to the best of my ability. I realized that once I maintained trust with him, it became easier to teach him. As the months flew by, we developed a great friendship, and I truly noticed improvement in his drive and work ethic as a whole. My last day of volunteering quickly arrived, and I was asked by the teacher to determine each student’s ability to pronounce and recognize their letters. I sat in the hallway quizzing kindergartner after kindergartner, and then my little buddy quickly bounded over to me. A huge grin spread across his face, and I noticed confidence in his little stature. My heart swelled with pride as he responded diligently to every letter I read off, and I could not help but feel so proud to be a member of a sorority that places so much value on education. In conclusion, although I have learned a plethora of life lessons through my social encounters and tough classes, I believe the efforts we take to help others teaches us far more about the world and ourselves than a classroom would ever be able to.

Just over one month ago, thousands of freshman students swarmed the campus at the University of Arkansas during move in week. As families unloaded cars and bid their children farewell, often with a few tears, students began an experience foreign to nearly all of them. Many moved into a dorm room, most commonly shared with another student. As suitcases were unpacked, pictures were hung of fond memories and places, and desks were organized, a feeling of uncertainty and excitement filled the hearts and stomachs of these freshman. If you were anything like me, as soon as you finished unpacking, re-organizing, and re-decorating a couple times, this question might have filled your thoughts: What do I do now? I walked out into the hallway anxiously, not really all that sure of what my next steps should be. College was something completely new to me, something I had no actual experience with, and only a few preconceived ideas based off of other people’s short stories and social media posts. I thought to myself that the next week, without classes, might be spent a little restlessly. Little did I know, the following week would be filled with some of my sweetest and most enjoyable summer memories. While most of the girls I was friends with were busy with rush and Greek Life, I found myself spending time playing volleyball, having movie and game nights, exploring Fayetteville, hiking, boating, eating delicious food, and meeting people from all different parts of the globe. I quickly befriended girls from China, Egypt, and Bolivia, and was amazed by the new things I learned, and the variety of culture that I got to experience. By Sunday night before classes started, I was saddened at the thought of summer coming to an end, and filled with anxiety about classes the following day. As I mapped out the locations of the buildings my classes were in, I was filled with dread at the thought of being late and getting lost. When Monday began and I journeyed from class to class, I realized that I might just actually enjoy my classes and professors, and I was filled with excitement at the prospect of gaining knowledge I could apply to help others and my community. This week has already been filled with hours of homework and studying, and there are moments when I wish I could just go back to watching Netflix. But then I remember the incredible opportunity I have to learn, to explore, to create, and to discover, and am filled with passion to make the most of it. From the short time I have spent in college, I have realized that I should take each opportunity as it comes, from learning to meeting new people, from trying new things to jumping outside of my comfort zone. I am eager for what is to come, and ready to tackle the next day.

The Arkansas Alumni Association Membership Drive, Arkansas Everywhere, kicks off today! Festivities begin tonight with a free concert at East Baum Stadium Parking Lot on Razorback Road. The concert is being held in conjunction with the Campaign Arkansas launch weekend, and the entire campus, all alumni and the public are invited to attend. Gates will open at 6 p.m. U of A senior Trey O’Dell, who performed on season 10 of NBC’s The Voice, takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. and the Commodores will begin at 8 p.m. There will be a limited number of tickets available at Will Call starting at 5 p.m.

With the Arkansas Everywhere Membership Drive, the Alumni Association encourages alumni and friends to join the association or renew their membership. Five dollars of every annual membership and $50 of every life membership is dedicated to need-based scholarships.

As part of the membership drive, alumni are also invited to share why they love being U of A grads through photos and videos. To participate, tag the Arkansas Alumni Association in social media posts and use the hashtag #ArkansasEverywhere. To download graphics and images for social media posts or for more information, visit http://arkansasalumni.org/arkansaseverywhere.

Preparing for college was not what I expected. I thought it would be easy! Just pack my things up and move right in. To my dismay, I was very wrong. All my friends had move in dates before I did, so I watched them pack up their things little by little as they prepared to move all over the country. They seemed so prepared! I did not share that feeling. I did not feel as though I was ready to leave home, even though I was only moving 45 minutes away. I just didn’t have the heart to pack up all the little things from my room that meant so much to me, the small trinkets I had gotten with my friends that held so many memories to the photos of all of us together I had hung on my walls.

High school wasn’t the best time of my life, but I liked it! High school was fun, easy, and I got to see my favorite people each and every day. To be honest, I wasn’t ready for my life to change so drastically. I wanted to see my friends in the halls every day, not just over Facetime when both of us had a spare minute. Even though I felt all these things, I was excited for college. I wanted to see what it was like. Was college really like how it is portrayed in movies? Is it something completely different? I was excited to be challenged in classes that were teaching what I really was interested in. I was excited to be in a new place. I packed up my things slowly but surely, leaving out a few little things for me to come back to. I still have all my photos with my friends pinned up on my dorm walls. They are all still here with me, just in a different place. We all still talk almost every day, in a big group text. I am so thankful for those friendships.

Now I have completed my first week of college with confidence. I may not have many new friends here right now, but I have so many to see at Christmas time. My first week of college was exactly what I expected, but in a more real sense, nothing like I expected. My classes are hard, but I am interested in the subjects and have actually been excited to do homework! I’m very excited to see what these next four years have in store for me educationally and socially. College isn’t forever, so you have to make the best of it while you can!